Former Aussie International Steers Italy to Historic T20 World Cup Berth

Jersey’s Win Not Enough to Outpace Italy

Jersey pulled off an unexpected win against Scotland in their final game, but it wasn’t sufficient to overcome Italy's superior net run rate. Throughout the qualifying tournament, Italy showcased more consistent performances, including a standout 12-run win over Scotland. The Netherlands, who handed Italy a convincing nine-wicket loss in their last game, finished at the top of the group, while Italy claimed second place to book their maiden World Cup ticket.

Italy’s Path to Qualification

Italy’s journey began with a strong seven-wicket victory over Guernsey. Their scheduled game against Jersey was abandoned due to rain, but their defining moment came in the clash against Scotland. Emilio Gay lit up the scoreboard with a blistering 50 off just 21 deliveries, while Harry Manenti contributed an unbeaten 38 and also picked up five wickets, helping Italy post 167/6. They restricted Scotland to 155/5, clinching a crucial win.

Despite a comprehensive loss to the Netherlands in their final match, Italy’s consistent showing across earlier games ensured they stayed ahead of Jersey on net run rate and claimed the second qualifying slot.

Joe Burns’ Remarkable Shift from Australia to Italy

Former Australian batter Joe Burns captained the Italian side during this qualification campaign. Burns, who represented Australia in 23 Tests and six ODIs between 2014 and 2020, scored 1,442 runs in Test cricket at an average close to 37. After the passing of his brother, Dominic, in 2024, Burns chose to honor his family heritage—his maternal grandparents hail from Calabria—by playing for Italy.

Line-Up for the 2026 T20 World Cup

The 2026 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams, up from 16 in the previous edition. Italy became the 15th team to qualify for the tournament. The teams confirmed so far are: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United States, and West Indies. The remaining five spots will be filled through regional qualifiers, with three teams advancing from the East Asia-Pacific region and two from Africa. Italy’s qualification is a major milestone for cricket in the country and highlights the sport’s growing reach across Europe.